Note: I plan
to give a list of reading materials at the conclusion of this series for
those interested in deeper study. The "Christian Mason" should
realize by now that he is in fellowship with a vast number of people who
aren't Christian, and in fact are anti-Christian.

Waite said: "Masonry numbers
now all classes of SPIRITUALISTS, disciples of Swedenborg, representatives
of modern school of OCCULT though and even convinced mystics, not to speak
of every shade of opinion in churches and sects."

Masonry is itself a religion!
Many Masons deny this, but Albert Mackey, one of the most revered Masonic
authors, writes about "The RELIGION of Freemasonry." He tells
us: "Look at its (Freemasonry) ancient landmarks, its sublime ceremonies,
its profound symbols and allegories - all inculcation RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE,
commanding RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE, and teaching RELIGIOUS truth and who can
deny that it is eminently a RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION?... Masonry then, is indeed
a RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION: and on this ground mainly, if not alone should
the religious Mason defend it."

Anderson calls Masonry, "a
spiritual quest." Pike proclaimed: "Every Masonic Lodge is a TEMPLE
OF RELIGION, and its teachings are INSTRUCTION IN RELIGION." Waite
says: "true Masonry remains a Church of God", and Pike states:
"Masonry is a worship." After all, masons go to a Masonic TEMPLE,
they WORSHIP at an ALTAR, they KNEEL before a SUPREME BEING and they SWEAR
upon the "VOLUME OF SACRED LAW," whether it be a Bible, the Koran,
the Vedas, or any other "scripture" that is acceptable to the
majority of the people within the lodge.

Oh yes, a Bible is there, but
only as a symbol. Waite said "the Bible in the Lodge of the Entered
Apprentice is not of religious acceptance as understood by the Adepts..."

The question is still this:
Are Freemasonry and Christianity compatible?

Since Christianity is a religion
as well as Masonry, is there any conflict between the two? Darrah tells
us: "There never has been any conflict between the Church and Freemasonry,
nor is there a single principle inculcated by the various Christian societies
of the world for which Freemasonry does not contend".

However, when we study Masonic
literature, it is evident that there are definite conflicts between Christianity
and Masonry! Actually, Freemasonry is supposed to take the place of the
Church and work of Christ upon the Cross! Consider the Blue Lodge (First
three degrees):

1st degree: symbolically
represents "portrayal of the entrance of all men into, first, physical
life, and second, into spiritual life...". Wilmshurst, he also states
that it corresponds to Baptism...meaning that Masons actually claim that
turning to Masonry is EQUIVALENT to a sinner repenting and being baptized!
Waite believes that in the first degree the candidate has been born anew"...(without
Christ I might add) and "is restored to light ...and...he
is told subsequently that HE IS THE CORNERSTONE of a new foundation
from which HE MUST BUILD HIMSELF..."Where oh where I venture to ask,
does that put JESUS CHRIST THE TRUE CORNERSTONE? I SUGGEST YOU READ
1 PETER 2:7-8; PSALM 118:22; MATT 21:42; MARK 12:10; LUKE 20:17; ACTS 4:11
AND 1 COR. 3:11. IF IT SUPPLANTS OR LEAVES JESUS CHRIST OUT, IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE.